All-In Wedding Photography

Celebrating 20 episodes! We reflect on our favorite moments from our launch season spring 2025. As wedding season approaches (is fully here), we're taking a break until fall but leaving you with practical survival tips for busy wedding pros.• Our favorite episode was "Don't Charge Your Worth" and systems-focused strategy discussions• Wedding season grocery hack: prep your snacks like you would for a toddler• We'll be back in the fall with more business insights and strategiesEnjoy your summer! See you in the fall.

Alex and Ren discuss the critical transition from hobbyist to professional photographer and the three key elements needed to make this shift successfully. We break down specific strategies for getting consistently booked without feeling lost or unsure of your direction.Ready to transform your photography hobby into a thriving business? DM Alex with your questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes!

Photography websites need one clear purpose: getting potential clients to email you. A simple, effective site can be built for under $50 a year and will convert better than an overly aesthetic portfolio with buried information.• Location should be the first thing visitors see – people decide within 30 seconds whether to contact you• Testimonials from past clients sell your services better than self-promotion• Your "About Me" section should focus on how you help clients, not your photography origin story• Include only 5-10 of your absolute best portfolio images that represent your specific style• Add FAQ section with starting rates to filter out budget mismatches• Always include a contact form directly on your home page• Design for mobile first – 80-90% of visitors view on phones, not desktops• Consider platforms like CARD for beginners, rather than time-intensive WordPressIf website-building makes you angry, hire it out. You can be anything, but you can't be everything. When you're starting out, your time is your currency – focus on learning the things that directly impact your client experience.

What if I told you that today’s episode is basically a paid SEO course (without the price tag)?I’m pulling back the curtain on everything I do to be visible and get hired by clients who are actively searching and ready to book.This episode is a strategy masterclass for wedding photographers who are truly ready to go to the next level with SEO, built from experience, testing, and wins.Listen now before I change my mind and start charging for it. ;) 

The essentials of a comprehensive wedding day emergency kit beyond standard photography equipment, sharing our list of items that help us  handle unexpected situations with grace and professionalism.Send us a message on Instagram to share what's in your wedding day emergency kit - we'd love to hear what items you consider essential!

Have you ever felt that gut-wrenching sensation of letting someone down by not being immediately available? You're not alone.Perhaps most surprisingly, we discover that clients typically don't want or expect 24/7 access to you. They understand work-life balance, often better than we give them credit for. 

You're not alone if you find yourself discounting when nobody asks, pricing at break-even points, feeling resentful after client work, or identifying as the "affordable option" in your market. These are classic signs of fear-based pricing that ultimately leads to burnout and resentment. Ready to stop letting fear set your prices? Listen now to transform your relationship with charging what you're worth and build a business that supports rather than drains your life.Download the pricing toolkit: http://alexstead.ca/pricingtoolkit/

We dive deep into the five crucial things Alex would change if she could restart her wedding photography business, sharing hard-won wisdom from 15 years of experience shooting over 500 weddings.If you're waiting to feel like you've figured it all out before starting your photography business, this is your permission slip to begin today! 

Does it feel like you're doing everything right on social media, but it's not moving the needle?On today's episode, we break down step by step why the things that you're doing aren't working, and what to do instead. - Setting clear, measurable goals for social media beyond just followers and likes- Creating a curated portfolio that only features work you want to attract more of- Writing strategic captions that include FAQs or help clients imagine themselves working with you- Using Instagram as a starting point in your marketing ecosystem, not the endpoint- Adding clear calls to action that invite engagement rather than just broadcasting- Building a complete marketing ecosystem including website, SEO, and targeted advertisingSocial media strategy for wedding photographers

Are you afraid that the robots are going to take your job? Worried about the future as a photographer? You're not alone. In today's episode we talk about...- 5 AI tools I'm using in my business to save time and create better results for my clients without losing my creative edge- The future of photography with the rise of AI- Tell-tale signs someone's using AI in their social media and how to not fall into the trap of sounding like a robot- Trends that are in direct opposition to the polished, clean AI artwork that's taking over the feeds- Why I'm not worried about AI replacing my job, and what happened when I tried to plan a vacation with ChatGPTLike this podcast? We would LOVE if you subscribed, rated and reviewed! Thanks for being here. 

You’ve heard the horror stories.Hard drive crashes. Memory cards lost. Robbed at a gas station.(Okay, that one might be specific to me.)In this episode, we’re walking you through the exact photo backup system we use in our wedding photography business—because nothing makes your stomach drop like the thought of losing someone’s wedding photos.Whether you’re just starting out or years into your business, this episode breaks down how to create a system that protects your work, gives you peace of mind, and helps you sleep at night (even if you fall in the ocean).We’re covering:• What to do before the wedding even starts• How to remove human error from your workflow• Our full post-wedding photo backup process• Why we track every card, drive, and deadline in our GSD (Get Sh*t Done) spreadsheet• The free software we swear by• Why outsourcing post-processing tasks doesn’t take away from your creativity—it protects itWant the full backup system we use?You can grab the exact tools and workflow we talk about in this episode—including our GSD spreadsheet, our checklist, and step-by-step videos—in our mini-course for just $7.Get the system here → https://alexsteadphotography.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1182110/?action=signupBecause panicking at 3am wondering if you backed up that wedding?That’s out.Having a system that actually has your back?That’s in.

Everyone says to “underpromise and overdeliver.”But what does that actually look like?How fast is too fast for a teaser gallery?Are you behind if other photographers are delivering everything in 3 weeks?Is sending 50 previews better than 5?The truth: It’s not about being the fastest.It’s about being intentional.This week on the podcast, we’re answering three big questions:- How do you create a photo delivery timeline that works for you and feels competitive?- What makes the teaser experience actually feel satisfying to clients?- And how do you exceed expectations without burning out?This episode is full of simple shifts that will change the way you deliver galleries, and make your clients rave about you to everyone they know.

Want to turn your slow season into your booking season? This week, Alex shares 6 do’s and 3 don’ts every wedding photographer needs to know!

Have you ever been ghosted by a client you really connected with? Alex shares how often this happens—even with leads that seemed like a sure booking. Tune in to learn how to improve your system and reduce lost bookings!The Funnel Blueprint: https://alexstead.ca/

You won't want to miss this episode! In this, we teach a MASTERCLASS on pricing your services for success. We cover:- the three easy steps to raising your rates- setting your hourly rate for profit- how to get from where you are to where you want to be- growing with your client baseThis one is a game-changer and I'm so excited for you to listen!Find out how much you should be charing per shoot here -> https://alexstead.ca/calculator

Calculate exactly what you should be charging at https://alexstead.ca/calculator/Stay tuned for next week, for Pricing Part 2 where Alex is going to tell you the exact system she uses to raise her rates without ever getting yelled at. 

If she's going to be another white boy with a podcast, then she has to tell you about this one productivity hack that changed will change your life. Listen to learn how Ren finished a big to-do list item in 7 days after a year and a half of trying. 

Find out exactly how many weddings Alex photographed before confidently calling herself a wedding photography. In this episode Alex shares the early days of being a photography. 

Alex Stead welcomes you to the All-In Wedding Photography Podcast. Get to know Alex, and find out what to expect from this series. Stay tuned for more episodes coming out weekly on Thursday.